SNP Member of the Scottish Parliament for Cunninghame South

POLL SHOWS STRONG 2 TO 1 SUPPORT FOR SNP TAX PLANS

Scots back the SNP’s progressive tax plans by 2 to 1, according to a YouGov poll for the Times – leaving Tory demands to hand high earners and big business a tax cut worth £500 million looking hopelessly out of touch.

The SNP’s tax plans will protect low and middle income taxpayers in Cunninghame South by setting a new Starter Rate of income tax of 19% for earnings between £11,850 and £13,850. As a result of this change as well as the increase in the personal allowance, all taxpayers earning up to £33,000 in Cunninghame South and across Scotland will be protected from any tax increase.

Overall 70% of taxpayers in Scotland will pay less next year and 55% of Scottish taxpayers will pay less than they would in England. At the same time, SNP tax plans will increase the Higher and Top Rate of tax to 41% and 46%.

Commenting, SNP MSP for Cunninghame South, Ruth Maguire, said:

“This poll shows strong 2 to 1 support for the SNP’s progressive tax reforms that will allow the Scottish Government to invest in our schools and hospitals in Cunninghame South.

The SNP is on the side of Cunninghame South’s taxpayers – ensuring that 70% pay less and that Scotland has the fairest taxed system in the UK.

This is a real endorsement of the SNP’s approach to protecting public services, investing in the economy and supporting households and I hope other parties will now back our tax plans.

While the Westminster Tory government has hammered Scotland with cut after cut, Tory MSPs demand that the Scottish Government spend more and more money – all the while calling for tax cuts for high earners. It doesn’t add up.

The Tories are completely out of touch with the Scottish public, and their tax plans would leave a £500 million hole in the Scottish budget – leaving public services in Cunninghame South and across the country short-changed.”